Rotary brush



M y 1967 L. G. HACKWORTH ROTARY BRUSH 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 14, 1964 5 NW g R: E UM-%:%%1I13 :EWWW j @i 2 g INVENQTOR 1/0 0 6'. HackWor/h BY mwww 1M AGENT May 30, 1967 L. G. HACKWORTH ROTARY BRUSH 2 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed May 14, 1964 INVENTOR. Z/oyd G. HackM/o/"fh mbmfle Ki'm AGE/V7 United States Patent 3,321,799 ROTARY BRUSH Lloyd G. Hackworth, 3768 S. 29th West Ave, Tulsa, (litla. 74197 Filed l'vlay 14, 64, Ser. No. 357,311 6 Claims. c1. re iss.

This invention relates to improvements in brushes and more particularly, 'but not by way of limitation, to a rotary brush or broom designed and constructed for utilization with street sweeping vehicles, or the like.

Many vehicles utilized for industrial or street cleaning purposes are provided with relatively large substantially cylindrical horizontally disposed brushes or brooms for sweeping the street as the vehicle moves therealong. The usual rotary brushes of this type in use today are normally unitary structures and must be completely removed from the machine and replaced when the bristles become sufliciently worn to decrease the efficiency of the sweep ing operation. Some of these brushes may be provided with replaceable brush elements but the entire rotary structure usually must be completely removed from the vehicle in order to replace the worn bristles. This is a disadvantage in that it usually requires a considerable length of time to remove the complete brush assembly and the vehicle must be either provided with a completely new structure or may be out of service for extended periods of time. As a result, it is usually necessary for the service establishment to carry a relatively large stock of the complete brush units in order to maintain the vehicles in operation at substantially all times.

The present invention contemplates a novel rotary broom or brush for street cleaning vehicles, or the like, having a permanent core structure for receiving removable brush sleeves thereon. A single core may be utilized with a great number of sleeves and thus a worn brush sleeve may be quickly removed from the core and another brush sleeve installed thereon. In this manner, the worn sleeve maybe repaired while the second sleeve is in use on the permanent core structure. The time required for removing and replacing a sleeve on the core member is considerably less than the time usually required for replacing an entire brush unit. In addition, the service establishment may carry considerably less stock in that only spare or extra sleeve members would be necessary and usually only two sleeves would be required for each core member to maintain the street cleaning vehicle in substantially constant use.

It is an important object of this invention to provide a novel rotary brush for use with street cleaning vehicles, or the like, particularly designed and constructed for reducing the time required for replacing worn bristles to maintain the vehicle in substantially constant service.

It is another object of this invention to provide a novel rotary brush having a substantially permanent core structure which may be utilized with any suitable brush holding sleeve.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel rotary brush particularly designed and constructed for facilitating replacement of worn bristles and reducing the quantity of spare parts stock for the service establishment.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a novel rotary brush which is simple and efficient in operation and economical and durable in construction.

Other and further objects and advantageous features of the present invention will hereinafter more fully appear in connection with a detailed description of the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a sectional elevational view of a rotary brush embodying the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged sectional elevational view of a core structure utilized with a rotary brush embodying the present invention.

FIGURE 3 is an end elevational view of a rotary brush structure embodying the present invention, with portions thereof eliminated for purposes of illustration.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of a core structure having a brush sleeve partially disposed thereon with portions being broken away for purposes of illustration.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 55 of FIGURE 2.

Referring to the drawings in detail, reference character 10 generally indicates a substantially cylindrical rotary brush structure comprising a longitudinally extending brush structure comprising a longitudinally extending central core structure 12 having a brush sleeve 14 removably disposed thereon. The core structure 12 comprises plate members 13 secured to the outer periphery thereon in any suitable manner and longitudinally spaced therealong. The plate members 18 depicted herein are preferably of a substantially rectangular or square configuration and support a plurality of spaced longitudinally extending angle members 20. Each corner 22 (FIGURE 3) of each plate 18 is preferably rigidly secured to the respective angle member 26 whereby a substantially boxlike framework structure is provided for the core 12.

The angle members 20 extend longitudinally beyond the opposed ends of the central tube 16 and a plate 24 similar to the plates 18 is secured between the angle members 2t) and spaced from the left hand end of the tube 16 as viewed in the drawings. A similar plate 26 is secured between the angle members 20 and spaced from the right hand end of the sleeve or tube 16. Each plate 24 and 26 is provided with a central aperture: 28 and 30, respectively, for receiving a shaft 32 and 34 therethrough. The shafts 32 and 34 are preferably substantially identical and may be of an outer diameter corresponding to or complementary to the outer diameter of the central sleeve 16. Each shaft 32 and 34 is provided with a reduced axially extending member 36 and 38, respectively, at one end thereof and adapted for insertion within the opposite ends of the central tube 16 as particularly shown in FIGURES 2 and 5. In addition, each reduced neck portion 36 and 38 is provided with an open ended slot 40 (FIGURE 5) for receiving a transversely extending stud 42 therethrough.

T he studs 42 extend through the opposite ends of the tube 16 and the reduced end portions 36 and 38 of the shafts 32 and 34 for securely locking the shafts in a longitudinally aligned position with the tube 16. It will be apparent that whereas the slots 40 are depicted herein, it may be desirable to provide a single transversely extending bore (not shown) in each reduced neck portion 36 and 38 for receiving the studs 42 therethrough. An end plate 44 similar to the plates 24 and 26 is secured between the outer ends of the angle members 20 at each of the opposed ends thereof. Each plate 44 is provided with a central aperture 46 for receiving the shafts 32 and 34 therethrough and each shaft 32 and 34 is provided with a disc 48 which is welded or otherwise secured to the outer periphery thereof respectively for engagement with the plates 44 when the shafts 32 and 34 are inserted within the opposite ends of the tube 16. The plates 48 may be bolted or otherwise removably secured to the respective plates 44 to secure the shafts 32 and 34 in position in the core structure 12. A disk 50 is bolted or otherwise secured to one of the plates 48 and is preferably of a larger diameter than the circular diameter determined by the outwardly directed corners of the angle members 20. A similar disc 52 is bolted or otherwise removably secured to the second or other plate 48 for a purpose as will be hereinafter set forth. The shafts 32 and 34 extend beyond the respective plates 50 and 52 and are each provided with a reduced spline portion 54 on the outer extremity thereof for engaging a drive or rotating device (not shown) for transmitting rotation of the core structure 12 as is well known.

The brush sleeve 14 comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending spaced channel members 56 so arranged as to engage each angle member 20 as clearly shown in FIGURE 3. The outer ends of the channels 56 are rigidly secured in spaced relationship by means of substantially straight members 58 extending between each adjacent pair of channels 56 and suitably secured therebetween. In addition, channel members similar to the channels 58 (not shown) may be spaced throughout the length of the channels 56 whereby a substantially box-like structure is provided. A spiral or helical substantially U-shaped channel 60 is wound around the outer periphery determined by the channels 56 and Welded or otherwise rigidly secured therearound to form a continuous helical groove 62 extending longitudinally therealong. An elongated strand carrying outwardly extending bristles 64 is disposed in the spiral grove 62 and may be retained therein in any suitable manner such as by a suitable cable, cord, or the like (not shown). It will be apparent that the bristles disposed in the continuous helical or spiral groove 62 provided by the channel 60 provides a unitary sleeve which may be slidably disposed over the central core structure 12. The channel members 56 and angle members 20 cooperate for guiding the brush sleeve 14 along the core 12 as the brush sleeve 14 is either disposed on or Withdrawn from disposition on the core 12.

In order to initially position the brush sleeve 14 on the central core 12, one of the end plates such as the end plate 52 may be removed from the core structure 12 whereby the brush sleeve 14 may be disposed over the core 12 and moved longitudinally therealong. When the brush sleeve 10 is disposed on the core 12, the disc 52 may be replaced on the end of the core 12 for securely retaining the brush sleeve 14 thereon.

Operation The rotary brush unit 10 may be secured'to a suitable vehicle such as a street cleaning vehicle, or the like, (not shown) in any well known manner whereby the entire unit 10 is disposed substantially horizontally with the spline portions 54 of the oppositely disposed shafts 32 and 34 engaged with the usual brush driving mechanism (not shown) normally provided on this type of vehicle. As the vehicle is' operated in the usual manner for street cleaning, or the like, the brush driving mechanism rotates the shafts 32 and 34 which in turn transmit rotation to the central sleeve 16 through the pin connection therebetween. The rotation of the central tube It} is transmitted to the angles 20 through the plates 18 and to the brush sleeve 14 through the engagement between the angles 20 and channels 56. Thus, the bristles 64 may be uitilized for sweeping the surface of the area being traversed by the vehicle.

When the bristles 64 become sufficiently worn to decrease the sweeping efliciency of the unit 10 it is desirable to replace the brush sleeve with a new or repaired sleeve to restore the cleaning eificiency. The core structure 12 need not be removed from the vehicle. It is only necessary to remove sutficient parts of the cleaning vehicle to permit access to either the plate St) or the plate 52. The accessible plate, for example plate 52, may be then removed whereby the brush sleeve 14 may be longitudinally moved with respect to the core structure 12 for removing the brush sleeve from disposition therearound. A replacement brush sleeve 14 may then be secured on the core in lieu of the removed worn sleeve 14. As the new or replacement sleeve 14 is disposed on the core structure 12, the channels 56 ride along the angles 20 for guiding the longitudinal movement of the sleeve 14 along the core structure until the brush sleeve is in abutment with the disc 50. The plate or disc 52 may then be replaced in position on the core structure for retaining the brush sleeve thereon.

The removed brush sleeve may be readily repaired by replacing the bristles in the helical groove 62. The time required for the removal of the worn brush sleeve and replacement of the new brush sleeve on the core is considerably less than that required for removing and replacing an entire brush structure. In addition, it is necessary to maintain a stock of sleeves only, which reduces the expense involved. It is usually necessary to maintain a stock of two brush sleeves for each core structure Whereby one brush sleeve may be in use while the second is being repaired or restored. Of course, the core 12 may be utilized with substantially any brush sleeve and is not limited to the sleeve depicted herein.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the present invention provides a novel rotary brush structure having a substantially permanent core member which may be utilized with any suitable brush sleeve. The novel rotary brush is particularly designed and constructed for decreasing time and expense of replacing worn brushes and reducing the quantity of stock or spare parts which must be carried by the service establishment. The novel brush structure is simple and efficient in operation and economical and durable in construction.

Changes may be made in the combination and arrangement of parts as heretofore set forth in the specification and shown in the drawings, it being understood that any modification in the precise embodiment of the invention may be made within the scope of the following claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A rotary brush comprising a central core structure, a unitary brush sleeve removably disposed on the core structure, and means for retaining the brush sleeve in position on the core structure, wherein the core structure comprises a centrally disposed sleeve member, a plurality of spaced angle members supported by said central sleeve member, andshaft members removably secured to opposite ends of said central sleeve member and adapted to transmit rotational movement to the central sleeve.

2. A rotary brush comprising a central core structure, a unitary brush sleeve removably disposed on the core structure, and means for retaining the brush sleeve in position on the core structure, wherein said brush sleeve comprises a plurality of spaced longitudinally extending channel members, means for rigidly retaining said channel members in said spaced relationship, a continuous helical member wound around the outer periphery determined by the channel members whereby a helical groove is provided around the outer periphery established by said spaced channel members, and bristle means secured in said helical groove.

3. A rotary brush for a vehicle comprising a central core structure having a centrally disposed sleeve member, a plurality of spaced angle members supported by said sleeve member, shaft members removably secured to the opposite ends of said sleeve member for facilitating securing of the brush to the vehicle, plate means carried by said removable shafts and secured to said spaced angle members, disc means removably secured to said plate means, a substantially cylindrical brush sleeve slidably disposed on said core structure and comprising a plurality of spaced channel members, means for rigidly main taining said channel members in said spaced relationship, a substantially U-shaped channel member helically wound and rigidly secured to the outer periphery as determined by the spaced channel members to provide a continuous helical groove extending longitudinally throughout the length thereof, bristle means secured in said helical groove, and said disc means cooperating with said plate means for maintaining said brush sleeve in position on said core structure, said channel members cooperating with said angle members for facilitating and guiding longitudinal movement of said brush sleeve With respect to said core structure.

4. A core structure for a rotary brush comprising a centrally disposed sleeve, a plurality of spaced radially extending plates carried by said sleeve, a plurality of spaced angle members secured to said plate members and extending longitudinally in substantial alignment with the axis of said sleeve member, said angle members extending beyond the opposed ends of said sleeve member, apertured plate means secured between the spaced angle members and spaced from the opposed ends of the sleeve, shaft members removably disposed on the opposed ends of said sleeve and extending through said apertured plate means, disc means carried by each of said shafts and removably secured to said plate means, second disc means of a larger diameter than said first disc means removably secured to said first disc means for facilitating disposition of a brush sleeve on said core structure.

5. A rotary brush for a vehicle and comprising a core structure having a centrally disposed sleeve, a plurality of spaced radially extending plates carried by said sleeve, a plurality of spaced angle members secured to said plate members and extending substantially parallel to the axis of said sleeve member, said angle members extending beyond the opposed ends of said sleeve member, a plurality of apertured plate members secured between the spaced angle members and spaced from both of the opposite ends of the sleeve, shaft members removably disposed in the opposed ends of said sleeve and extending through said apertured plate members, disc means carried by each of said shafts and removably secured to a respective apertured plate member for facilitating securing of said removable shafts to said core structure, said removable shafts provided With means for engaging the vehicle to transmit rotation to the core structure, a brush sleeve slidably disposed over said core structure and comprising a plurality of spaced longitudinally extending channel members for engaging the angle members to guide the longitudinal movement of the sleeve with respect to the core structure and to transmit rotation to the brush sleeve, a substantially U-shaped channel member helically wound around the outer periphery as determined by the spaced channel members to provide a continuous helical groove extending longitudinally throughout the length thereof, bristle means secured within said helical groove, and second disc means removably secured to the first disc means for retaining the brush sleeve in position on the core structure.

6. In a rotary brush structure for a vehicle, an independent brush sleeve removably secured to the rotary brush structure and comprising a plurality of spaced longitudinally extending independent channel members providing guide members for facilitating longitudinal movement of the sleeve with respect to the rotary brush structure and to transmit rotation to the sleeve, means for maintaining said channel members in said spaced relationship, an elongated bristle receiving member helically Wound around the outer periphery as determined by the spaced channel members to provide a continuous helical bristle receiving means extending longitudinally throughout the length of the sleeve, and bristle means secured to the bristle receiving means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,975,567 10/1934 Dossman 15-179 2,379,205 6/1945 Wesemeyer 15-182 2,613,383 10/1952 Rousseav 18-181 2,757,401 8/1956 Peterson 18-182 2,782,439 2/1957 Ballard 18-182 2,864,112 12/1958 Nielsen 18-181 2,907,063 10/1959 Jones 18-182 3,168,756 2/1965 Koback 18-182 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,167,791 4/ 1964 Germany.

CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner. PETER FELDMAN, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A ROTARY BRUSH COMPRISING A CENTRAL CORE STRUCTURE, A UNITARY BRUSH SLEEVE REMOVABLY DISPOSED ON THE CORE STRUCTURE, AND MEANS FOR RETAINING THE BRUSH SLEEVE IN POSITION ON THE CORE STRUCTURE, WHEREIN THE CORE STRUCTURE COMPRISES A CENTRALLY DISPOSED SLEEVE MEMBER, A PLURALITY OF SPACED ANGLE MEMBERS SUPPORTED BY SAID CENTRAL SLEEVE MEMBER, AND SHAFT MEMBERS REMOVABLY SECURED 